T1’s inconsistent 2026 LCK results, including a fourth-place finish at the LCK Cup that forced an MSI Play-Ins path, have sharply lowered expectations that the roster will reach and win either the MSI or Worlds final. At age 30 and with recent substitute usage on the national team, Faker faces heightened competition from younger mid laners and stronger regional squads, reflected in the market’s 95.3% implied probability on No. Contract security through 2029 and sustained personal drive confirm he remains active, yet team positioning and historical Finals MVP trends favor established favorites. A late-season roster surge, meta shift, or exceptional individual series in a grand final could still alter outcomes, though such paths appear narrow given current form.